As the holy month of Ramadan began in Bangladesh yesterday, Chawkbazar, the most famous market for traditional iftar items in the capital, was bustling with shoppers from all localities.
Like the other years, traders started displaying a variety of iftar items since afternoon as the around-50-foot-long lane became overcrowded with the time of Iftar approaching.
About 100 items prepared of meat, vegetables, sweet, milk and other materials are available in the market. Of the varieties, some traces their origin back to the Mughal era.
The most famous items include giant beef and chicken roasts, suti kebab (marinated minced meat), shahi doi bora (fried and spiced lentil balls dipped in yoghurt), mutton and chicken cutlet, kima roll (a roll of chopped meat), different types of kebab, kima parata, hilsha eggs, borhani, matha, roasts of pigeon and koyel, bundia, and different kinds of sweetmeats.
Besides, various types of seasonal fruits are also available on the lane.
The most popular delicacy “boro baper polay khai”, a mixture of chickpeas, brains, minced meat, potatoes, chira, egg, chicken, 13 spices and ghee, was available in most of the shops.
Shopkeeper Yusuf Mia had little time to bargain with customers for the prices as he was too busy packing items other customers were asking for at fixed prices.
He said he has been selling iftar items in the market for 30 years. “Once my grandfather used to sell iftar items here. After his death, my uncle took over the business and I succeeded my uncle,” said Yusuf who expects Tk 4,000-5,000 sale every day.
Mohammad Khokan, who runs a restaurant in Chankharpool, sells his “special” doi bora in the market during the Ramadan for 25 years.
“My grandfather came to this market. I saw my father buying different items here every day. Now I also buy food for my family,” said Mohammad Rashed, a resident of Old Dhaka, who mainly chooses various types of kebab, jilapi and liquid items.
Although some customers complain about the food quality, they visit the market regularly and also buy goodies for their families.
“I know the quality of the products is deteriorating gradually but I come here as the members of my family like these items,” said Mahfuz Alam, a resident of Moghbazar.
The roads around the market witnessed unusual jam yesterday. Similar gridlock is expected to hit the area for the rest of the month.
Traders in other parts of the capital also prepared varieties of iftar items and displayed those in their stalls yesterday. Hundreds of makeshift shops mushroomed at different places opposite to markets and mosques, at intersections and lanes.
The most common items available in other places are chhola boot (fried and spiced chickpeas), puffed rice, beguni (a popular item prepared with aubergine), potato chop, piyaju (made with finely chopped onion with lentil paste), other fried items and a variety of juice.
Courtesy of The Daily Star
